Classifications

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  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
  • C07K16/2809—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily against the T-cell receptor (TcR)-CD3 complex
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/30—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants from tumour cells
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
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  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/20—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin
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  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/20—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin
  • C07K2317/21—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin from primates, e.g. man
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  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/20—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin
  • C07K2317/22—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin from camelids, e.g. camel, llama or dromedary
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/30—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency
  • C07K2317/31—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency multispecific
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  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
  • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
  • C07K2317/565—Complementarity determining region [CDR]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
  • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
  • C07K2317/569—Single domain, e.g. dAb, sdAb, VHH, VNAR or nanobody®
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/60—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by non-natural combinations of immunoglobulin fragments
  • C07K2317/62—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by non-natural combinations of immunoglobulin fragments comprising only variable region components
  • C07K2317/622—Single chain antibody (scFv)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/73—Inducing cell death, e.g. apoptosis, necrosis or inhibition of cell proliferation
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/75—Agonist effect on antigen
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/76—Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
  • C07K2317/92—Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value

Definitions

• the present invention is in the field of medicine and relates to immunology.
• the invention relates to immunoglobulins binding T cells.
• the invention relates to immunoglobulins binding human Vy9V52 T cell receptors.
• the invention provides for immunoglobulin molecules that bind a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor, such as antibodies, single chain antibodies, or single domain antibodies, wherein the human Vy9V52 T cells may be modulated.
• Vy9V52 T cells can react against a wide array of pathogens and tumour cells. This broad reactivity is understood to be conferred by phosphoantigens which are able to specifically activate this T-cell subset in a TCR dependent fashion.
• the broad antimicrobial and anti-tumour reactivity of Vv9V52 T-cells suggest a direct involvement in immune control of cancers and infections. In addition to fighting disease, in some diseases or medical treatment Vy9V52 T cells may be
• agents that can activate Vy9V52 T cells can be useful in the treatment of infections or cancer as these may promote Vy9V52 T cell reactivity towards the pathogen or infected cells or cancer.
• agents that block activation of Vy9V52 T cells may be useful in diseases or medical treatment where it is advantageous to reduce Vy9V52 T cell activation, i.e. wherein Vy9V52 T cells are overstimulated or inadvertently activated.
• agents that can bind a Vy9V52 T cell, but do not have an effect on (phosphoantigen) activation of Vv9V52 T cells are useful for labelling cells, for example for selecting or identifying Vy9V52 T cells.
• the current invention now provides for novel agents that can bind to Vy9V52 T cells.
• the agents provided are immunoglobulins.
• the immunoglobulins provided bind to a Vy9V52 T cell receptor.
• the immunoglobulins provided by the current invention have a substantial sequence identity.
• human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecules are provided, comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR 2 region,
• the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40 % sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31 GRTFSNYAMG; and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60 % sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG; wherein preferably the immunoglobulin molecule is a single domain antibody.
• immunoglobulins comprise a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region contributes to Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding and may have an effect on the action of the immunoglobulin molecule.
• This may, without being bound by theory, implicate the CDR3 sequence in the functionality of the immunoglobulin molecule, i.e. type of modulation such as blocking activation of Vv9V52 T cells, inducing activation of Vv9V52 T cells or neither blocking activation nor inducing activation of Vy9V52 T cells.
• the immunoglobulins of the invention are in particular for use in medical treatments and for use in assays involving Vy9V52 T cells.
• the immunoglobulin molecules according to the invention comprise a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO. 3, 6, 9, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 43, and 46.
• CDR3 regions combined with the CDR1 and CDR2 sequences provided for binding and functions, as discussed in detail below.
• FIG. 1 Alignment of the VHH sequences wherein the framework regions (1 , 2, 3 and 4) are indicated as well as CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3.
• the code for each of the VHHs is indicated as well (i.e. 5C7 is the sequence of VHH 5C7).
• FIG. 2 VHH 5E7 and VHH 6F6 do not activate Vy9V52 T cells. Data indicate relative expression of the activation marker CD25, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN- ⁇ , and the cytotoxic molecule granzyme B by healthy donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells in comparison with the positive control (phosphoantigen (pAg+) expressing HeLa cells)
• VHH 5E7 neutralizes phosphoantigen induced activation of healthy donor- derived Vy9V52 T cells.
• a representative example demonstrates the dose dependent neutralization of phosphoAg-induced Vy9V52 T cell activation using VHH 5E7 while a nonspecific VHH (negative control) cannot neutralize phosphoAg-induced Vy9V52 T cell activation.
• Vertical axis indicates activation of Vy9V52 T cells as assessed by CD25 expression, horizontal axis indicates different VHH concentrations.
• Vy9V52 T cell stimulations were performed using phosphoantigen expressing HeLa cells, generated by pretreating HeLa cells with increasing doses of the aminobisphosphonate pamidronate (which results in increasing levels of phosphoantigen expression by HeLa cells).
• Vy9V52 TCR specific VHH are capable of inducing activation and cytokine production in healthy donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells.
• Data indicate relative expression of the activation marker CD25 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN- ⁇ by healthy donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells in comparison with the positive control (phosphoantigen (pAg+) expressing HeLa cells; standardized to 1) and a negative control VHH.
• Each bar represents an individual Vy9V52 TCR specific VHH; individual VHHs differ with respect to their capacity to induce activation and cytokine production in Vy9V52 T cells.
• FIG. 5 Dose dependent activation of healthy donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells. Data indicate changes in CD25 expression (MFI) after 24 hr stimulation with increasing
• Vy9V52 TCR specific VHH can promote tumour cell death when fused to a tumor antigen specific VHH as a bispecific molecule.
• Data indicate CD25 expression (activation), and CD107a expression (degranulation) of Vy9V52 T cells and 7AAD+ tumor cells (indicating tumor cell death).
• FIG. 7 T cell receptor Vy9 and/or V52 binding specificity as determined using flow- cytometry: Representative flow-cytometric histogram indicates binding of a Vy9V52 TCR specific VHH (open histogram) and a negative control VHH (filled histogram) to Vy9V52 TCR expressing cells.
• Figure 8 Clone VHH 5C7 does not activate healthy donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells nor neutralize phosphoantigen induced activation of healthy donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells.
• VHH 5C7 phosphoAg-induced Vy9V52 T cell activation.
• Vertical axis indicates activation of Vy9V52 T cells as assessed by CD25 expression, horizontal axis indicates different VHH
• Vy9V52 T cell stimulations were performed using phosphoantigen expressing HeLa cells, generated by pretreating HeLa cells with increasing doses of the
• aminobisphosphonate pamidronate (which results in increasing levels of phosphoantigen expression by HeLa cells).
• FIG. 9 Schematic of immunoglobulins.
• a human antibody consisting of two heavy chains and two light chains
• Such a single chain antibody (or heavy chain only antibody) can be a llama antibody
• C) A single domain antibody contains one variable antibody domain e.g. of a single chain antibody (or heavy chain only antibody).
• a single domain antibody can consist only of the binding region as depicted. The variable domain is indicated in grey, whereas the constant regions are indicated in white. The variable domain of the light chain is indicated in black. Definitions:
• a method for isolating "a" DNA molecule includes isolating a plurality of molecules (e.g. 10s, 100s, 1000s, 10s of thousands, 100s of thousands, millions, or more molecules).
• Aligning and alignment With the term “aligning” and “alignment” is meant the comparison of two or more amino acid sequences based on the presence of short or long stretches of identical or similar amino acids. Several methods for alignment of amino acid sequences are known in the art, as will be further explained below. With the term “aligning” and “alignment” is also meant the comparison of two or more nucleotide sequences based on the presence of short or long stretches of identical or similar nucleotides. Several methods for alignment of nucleotide sequences are known in the art, as will be further explained below.
• “Expression of a gene” or “expression of a protein” refers to the process wherein a DNA region, which is operably linked to appropriate regulatory regions, particularly a promoter, is transcribed into an RNA, which is capable of being translated by machinery of the cell into a protein or peptide (or active peptide fragment) that is encoded by the nucleotide sequence or which is active itself (e.g. in posttranscriptional gene silencing or RNAi).
• the term “operably linked” refers to a linkage of polynucleotide elements in a functional relationship. A nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence.
• a promoter or rather a transcription regulatory sequence, is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the coding sequence.
• Operably linked means that the DNA sequences being linked are typically contiguous and, where necessary to join two or more protein encoding regions, contiguous and in reading frame.
• the term "genetic construct” means a DNA sequence comprising a region (transcribed region), which is transcribed into an RNA molecule (e.g. an mRNA) in a cell, operably linked to suitable regulatory regions (e.g. a promoter).
• a genetic construct may thus comprise several operably linked sequences, such as a promoter, a 5' leader sequence comprising e.g. sequences involved in translation initiation, a (protein) encoding region, splice donor and acceptor sites, intronic and exonic sequences, and a 3' non-translated sequence (also known as 3' untranslated sequence or 3'UTR) comprising e.g. transcription termination sequence sites.
• sequence identity is a measure of the identity of nucleotide sequences or amino acid sequences. In general, the sequences are aligned so that the highest order match is obtained. "Identity" per se has an art-recognized meaning and can be calculated using published techniques. See, e.g.: (COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Lesk, A. M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988; BIOCOMPUTING: INFORMATICS AND GENOME PROJECTS, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York, 1993; COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF SEQUENCE DATA, PART I, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H.
• identity is well known to skilled artisans (Carillo, H., and Lipton, D., SIAM J. Applied Math (1988) 48: 1073). Methods commonly employed to determine identity or similarity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in GUIDE TO HUGE
• amino acid sequence with at least, for example, 70%
• sequence identity to a reference amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 it is intended that the amino acid sequence is identical to the reference sequence except that the polypeptide sequence may include up to 3 amino acid alterations per each of the 10 amino acids of the reference amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 31.
• the percentage of identity of an amino acid sequence to a reference amino acid sequence is to be calculated over the full length of the reference amino acid sequence.
• up to 30% of the amino acid residues in the reference sequence may be deleted or substituted with another amino acid, or a number of amino acids up to 30% of the total amino acid residues in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence.
• These alterations of the reference sequence may occur at the amino- or carboxy-terminal positions of the reference amino acid sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among residues in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence.
• a “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid sequence” may include any polymer or oligomer of pyrimidine and purine bases, preferably cytosine, thymine, and uracil, and adenine and guanine, respectively (See Albert L. Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, at 793-800 (Worth Pub. 1982), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes).
• the present invention contemplates any deoxyribonucleotide, ribonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid component, and any chemical variants thereof, such as methylated, hydroxymethylated or glycosylated forms of these bases, and the like.
• the polymers or oligomers may be heterogeneous or homogenous in composition, and may be isolated from naturally occurring sources or may be artificially or synthetically produced.
• the nucleic acids may be DNA or RNA, or a mixture thereof, and may exist permanently or transitionally in single-stranded or double-stranded form, including
• cancer refers to or describes the physiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth.
• examples of cancer include, but are not limited to, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, hepatocellular cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, cancer of the urinary tract, thyroid cancer, renal cancer, carcinoma, skin cancer, blood cancer, leukemia, melanoma, head and neck cancer, and brain cancer.
• cancer is also referred to as malignant neoplasm.
• amino acid sequence or “protein” or “peptide” refer to molecules consisting of a chain of amino acids, without reference to a specific mode of action, size, 3 dimensional structure or origin. A “fragment” or “portion” of thereof may thus still be referred to as an “amino acid sequence” or “protein” or “peptide”.
• isolated amino acid sequence is used to refer to an amino acid sequence which is no longer in its original natural environment, for example in vitro or in a recombinant bacterial or human host cell.
• T cells or “T lymphocytes”, belong to a group of white blood cells named
• T cells which play a role in cell-mediated immunity.
• T cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, mature in the thymus (that is where the T is derived from), and gain their full function in peripheral lymphoid tissues.
• CD4XD8 " T-cells (negative for both the CD4 and CD8 co-receptor) are committed either to an ⁇ or ⁇ fate as a result of an initial ⁇ or ⁇ TCR gene rearrangement.
• Cells that undergo early ⁇ chain rearrangement express a pre-TCR structure composed of a complete ⁇ chain and a pre- TCRa chain on the cell surface.
• Such cells switch to a CD4 + CD8 + state, rearrange the TCRa chain locus, and express a mature c ⁇ TCR on the surface.
• CD4XD8 " T cells that successfully complete the ⁇ gene rearrangement before the ⁇ gene rearrangement express a functional Y5TCR and remain CD4XD8 " .
• the T cell receptor associates with the CD3 protein complex.
• Mature T cells i.e. expressing a c ⁇ TCR or a y5TCR, express the T cell receptor complex on the cell surface.
• the ⁇ -cells which constitute about 1 -5% of the total population of T cells in human peripheral blood, can be divided in further subpopulations.
• a subpopulation of ⁇ -cells constitutes VY9V52 T-cells, which express a VY9V52 TCR.
• CDR1 T cell receptor complementarity determining regions
• CDR2 CDR3
• CDR3 T cell receptor complementarity determining regions
• VY9V52 T-cells are cells that may be functionally defined in that they are specifically and rapidly activated by a set of non-peptidic phosphorylated isoprenoid precursors, collectively named phosphoantigens. Phosphoantigens are produced by virtually all living cells. The most common phosphoantigen found in animal and human cells (including cancer cells) is isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and its isomer dimethylallyl pyrophosphate
• HMBPP is a metabolite from the mevalonate pathway.
• E -4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2- enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP or HMB-PP) is an intermediate of the non-mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis.
• HMBPP is an essential metabolite in most pathogenic bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as in parasitic protozoans, such as
• VY9V52 T-cells are also defined by expression of the VY9V52 T-cell receptor.
• cells may be selected using an antibody specific for the VY9V52 T-cell receptor such as described below. These selected cells have undergone rearrangement of the ⁇ and ⁇ gene and encode a ⁇ 9 T-cell receptor chain and a V52 T-cell receptor chain. From such selected cells, the nucleic acid (or amino acid) sequence corresponding to the ⁇ 9 T-cell receptor chain and the V52 T- cell receptor chain may be determined.
• the person skilled in the art is well capable of selecting and/or identifying cell populations characterized by expression of an antigen or receptor on the surface of the cell such as described throughout herein. It is understood that with regard to expression on the surface of cells, such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD69, y5TCR and Vy9V52 TCR, this is typically done in a population of cells of which a portion of cells has a much higher level of expression of the antigen or receptor when compared to cells having a lower level of expression. Hence, the terms positive or negative are to be understood as being relative, i.e. positive cells have a much higher expression level as compared to cells being negative. Cells being negative in this sense may thus still have an expression level which may be detected.
• FACS Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting
• specific antibodies are commercially available, e.g. such as for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD69, y5TCR, Vy9 TCR chain and V52 TCR chain, that are suitable for such FACS analysis, such as described in the examples and as available.
• Such specific antibodies are immunoglobulins that bind with their respective antigen or receptor.
• Vy9V52 T- cells can hence also be defined and selected as being positive for Vv9V52 TCR in FACS.
• Antibodies suitable for FACS or similar separation techniques such as e.g. antibodies conjugated to magnetic beads) are widely available.
• Vy9V52 T cells or engineered Vy9V52 T-cells such as available from BD Pharmingen (BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, NJ USA) are Vy9-PE (clone B3, #555733), V52-FITC (clone B6,
• CD25-PE clone M-A251 , #555432
• CD69-FITC clone L78, #347823
• immunoglobulin molecule comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR 2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40 % sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31 GRTFSNYAMG;
• the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60 % sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG; wherein preferably the immunoglobulin molecule is a single domain antibody.
• a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin molecule that binds e.g. to a Vy9V52 T cell receptor such as defined by the amino acid sequences of the Vy9 and V52T cell receptor chains as listed in SEQ ID NO. 71 and 72. Binding to such a T cell receptor can be detected e.g. via FACS analysis, such as described in the example section. For example, cells expressing a Vy9V52 T cell receptor, e.g. SEQ ID NO. 71 and 72, are contacted with either a control
• Vy9V52 T cells derived from a healthy human donor as described in the examples can be contacted with either a control immunoglobulin molecule or an immunoglobulin molecule binding to a Vy9V52 T cell receptor.
• the amount of immunoglobulin bound to the cell is increased when the specific immunoglobulin molecule is compared with a control immunoglobulin molecule that does not bind to a Vy9V52 T cell receptor (see for example figure 7).
• a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule according to the invention can be defined e.g. as being an immunoglobulin that results in a minimal 2-fold increase in mean-fluorescence intensity (MFI), relative to a control
• immunoglobulin as determined by flow cytometry.
• the MFI is the mean of the fluorescence intensity in the fluorescence channel that is chosen (FITC, PE, PerCP, etc.).
• FITC fluorescence intensity in the fluorescence channel that is chosen
• PE PE, PerCP, etc.
• a negative control antibody a single domain antibody (or VHH, nanobody) against azo-dye reactive red 6 (RR6) can be used (Spinelli S et al, Biochemistry 2000;39:1217-1222).
• RR6 azo-dye reactive red 6
• Immunoglobulin binding can be expressed in terms of specificity and affinity. The specificity determines which antigen or epitope thereof is bound by the immunoglobulin molecule.
• immunoglobulin molecule (abbreviated as “lg") as used herein is well-known in the art and comprises the term “antibody”.
• immunoglobulin refers to any polypeptide comprising an antigen-binding site with complementarity determining regions (CDR).
• CDR complementarity determining regions
• the term includes, but is not limited to antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, monospecific antibodies, multispecific antibodies, humanized antibodies, chimeric antibodies, human antibodies, single chain antibodies, heavy chain only antibodies, llama antibodies, single domain antibodies and nanobodies (e.g. VHH).
• immunoglobulin molecule may also include immunoglobulin fragments such Fab, F(ab')2, Fv, scFv, Fd, dAb, and other antibody fragments or other constructs comprising CDRs that retain antigen-binding function. Typically, such fragments comprise an antigen-binding domain.
• the immunoglobulin molecules or fragments thereof may be any of the known antibody isotypes and their conformations, for example, IgA, such as lgA1 or lgA2, IgD, IgE, IgG, such as lgG1 , lgG2a, lgG2b, lgG3, lgG4, or IgM class, or may constitute mixtures thereof in any combination, such as a mixture of antibodies from the lgG1 and lgG2a class.
• IgA such as lgA1 or lgA2
• IgD IgD
• IgE IgG
• IgG such as lgG1 , lgG2a, lgG2b, lgG3, lgG4, or IgM class
• Immunoglobulins are immune system-related proteins.
• Human antibodies consist of four polypeptides- two heavy chains and two light chains joined to form a "Y"-shaped molecule (see figure 9A).
• the amino acid sequence in the tips of the "Y” varies greatly among different antibodies. Each of the tips has a specificity for binding antigen.
• the variable region of human antibodies includes the ends of the light and heavy chains, i.e. the variable domains of the light and heavy chains. The constant region determines the mechanism used to e.g. activate the immune system.
• Antibodies are divided into five major classes, IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE, based on their heavy chain constant region structure and immune function. Also subclasses of the heavy chain are known.
• IgG heavy chains in humans can be any of the lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3 and lgG4 subclasses.
• Each chain i.e. immunoglobulin molecule
• the variable domain of immunoglobulin molecules is subdivided into hypervariable (HV) and framework (FR) regions.
• HV regions have a high ratio of different amino acids in a given position, relative to the most common amino acid in that position.
• the hypervariability regions are referred to as complementarity determining regions (CDR).
• Immunoglobulin molecules have three complementarity determining regions (CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3). Four framework regions, with much less variable amino acids sequences, separate the CDR regions.
• the CDR regions can direct binding to the antigen, such as a Vy9V52 T cell receptor (see for example figure 1 , wherein the framework regions and CDR regions are indicated of the selected VHHs).
• the framework regions form a beta-sheet structure which serves as a scaffold to position the CDR regions to contact the antigen.
• Llama antibodies consist of two heavy chains (see figure 9B). Each of the heavy chains is an immunoglobulin molecule with a single variable domain. Such an antibody is referred to as a single chain antibody, i.e. it comprises one type of chain. Such an antibody can also be referred to as a heavy chain only antibody.
• a single domain antibody is an immunoglobulin molecule containing a single monomeric variable domain (see figure 9C).
• Single domain antibodies thus contain a single CDR1 , a single CDR2 and a single CDR3.
• a single domain antibody can be derived from a single chain antibody (or heavy chain only antibody). Like a whole antibody, a single domain antibody is able to bind selectively to a specific antigen.
• Single domain antibodies may contain only the variable domain of an immunoglobulin chain having CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 and framework regions, such antibodies can also be referred to as VHHs or nanobodies. With a molecular weight of only about 12-15 kDa, nanobodies are much smaller than common antibodies (150-160 kDa) which are composed of two heavy chains and two light chains.
• CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 sequences may be exchanged between species.
• CDR sequences may be selected and exchanged with CDR sequences in a human immunoglobulin molecule, to obtain a human immunoglobulin molecule having the specificity that is derived from the llama CDR
• the immunoglobulin molecules, single chain antibodies and single domain antibodies according to the invention may have human derived immunoglobulin sequences or llama derived immunoglobulin sequences and have the CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 sequences replaced with the CDR sequences according to the invention in order to provide for human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding.
• a single chain human antibody may comprise a sequence corresponding to the human heavy chain sequence but has been mutated, e.g.
• a human immunoglobulin, a human single chain antibody or a human single domain antibody hence refers to the origin of framework and/or constant regions and not to the origin of the CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 regions of the invention.
• human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecules were selected by using a strategy involving immunizing Llama glamas with human donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells and phage display.
• the VHH sequences that were selected were sequenced and are listed in table 3 and depicted in figure 1.
• the CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 regions of the selected VHHs are listed below in table 1.
• Each of the CDRs is also listed in table 3 with the corresponding SEQ ID NO.
• the immunoglobulins that were selected by the inventors to bind the human Vy9V52 T cell receptor surprisingly had a substantial sequence identity with regard to CDR1 and CDR2. Without being bound by theory, such CDR1 and CDR2 sequences substantially contribute to the binding of the Vy9V52 T cell receptor. More variability was found for the CDR3 region, which, without being bound by theory, may implicate the CDR3 sequence in the functionality of the immunoglobulin molecule, i.e. type of modulation such as blocking activation of Vy9V52 T cells, inducing activation of Vy9V52 T cells or neither blocking activation nor inducing activation of Vy9V52 T cells.
• the immunoglobulin molecule comprises a CDR1 region and a CDR2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31
• GRTFSNYAMG and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32
• the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 70% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody.
• the immunoglobulins are derived from llama. Lllamas produce antibodies with a single heavy chain that dimerizes via disulphide bridges, i.e. a llama antibody has two single variable domains from two chains (see figure 9B).
• the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least one amino acid sequence with at least
• a single chain antibody according to the invention may comprise immunoglobulin molecule sequences that are derived from the llama. It is understood that in such a llama single chain antibody, the original CDR sequences are replaced by replacement CDR sequences, e.g. such as listed in table 1 , to arrive at a llama single chain having the specificity of the replacement CDR sequences. Similarly, the same may be done with a human heavy chain sequences. The human single chain antibody than having the specificity being governed by the replacement CDR sequences.
• CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 regions to other frameworks e.g. to other species such as human frameworks is well known in the art.
• the single chain antibody is a single domain antibody.
• Single chain antibodies comprise framework regions.
• a human single domain antibody may have human framework regions, e.g. derived from either a human heavy and/or human light chain sequence and CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3sequences according to the invention.
• a llama single domain antibody has llama framework regions.
• one or more of the framework regions are selected from the group of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 67-70. These framework regions are the framework regions from one of the VHH clones that was isolated. As can be observed, the framework regions from the 20 isolated clones do not vary substantially.
• the immunoglobulin molecule, the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody comprises a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO. 3, 6, 9, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 43, and 46.
• CDR3 regions combined with the CDR1 and CDR2 sequences provided for binding and function, as discussed below.
• the immunoglobulin molecule, the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody has the combinations of the amino acid sequences of the CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 regions from the antibodies such as listed in table 1.
• the immunoglobulin molecule, the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group of amino acid sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO. 47-66.
• an immunoglobulin molecule according to the invention as disclosed above is provided for use in a medical treatment. It is understood that a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule when it binds a human Vy9V52 T cell in vivo, e.g. in a medical treatment, that it may not be desirable that the immunoglobulin molecule is a fully functional immunoglobulin molecule as upon binding to human Vy9V52 T cells it may trigger an immune response directed against the human Vy9V52 T cells. Hence, in such a scenario, immunoglobulin molecules that do not have functional constant regions, i.e. inactivated or deleted, are preferred such as e.g. in nanobodies and VHHs.
• a nucleotide sequence that encodes an immunoglobulin molecule according to the invention.
• the sequences as disclosed herein relate to amino acid sequences.
• the skilled person is well capable of providing for a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence, as it only requires to use a codon table to convert amino acid sequence into nucleotide sequence.
• Such nucleotide sequence may be used to operably link it to promoter sequences, polyA signals etc., to provide for a genetic construct with which the antibody may be expressed.
• Such a genetic construct comprising the nucleotide sequence may be comprised in a host cell.
• a method for preparing an immunoglobulin molecule according to the invention comprising:
• a host cell comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an immunoglobulin molecule according to the invention
• the invention also provides for a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule, wherein the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin molecule that blocks activation of human Vy9V52 T cells. Blocking activation of human Vy9V52 T cells is advantageous in conditions and/or treatments wherein activation of human Vy9V52 T cells is undesirable.
• Vy9V52 T cells can be strongly and specifically activated by small nonpeptidic phosphorylated intermediates, referred to as phosphoantigens (pAg) from the mammalian mevalonate pathway or the microbial deoxyxylulose-phosphate pathways. Phosphoantigens can then be specifically recognized (resulting in activation) by Vy9V52 T cell through interaction beween pAg and membrane bound butyrophilin3A1/CD277 molecules. Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecules, as shown in the examples, can block phosphoantigen induced activation of Vv9V52 T cells.
• phosphoantigens pAg
• Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecules as shown in the examples, can block phosphoantigen induced activation of Vv9V52 T cells.
• the human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule wherein the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin molecule that blocks activation of human Vy9V52 T cells, is a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule, comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR 2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31 GRTFSNYAMG; and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG; and wherein preferably the immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody.
• the CDR2 region of said immunoglobulin molecule comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60 % sequence identity with SEQ ID NO. 2 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG, wherein the said amino acid sequence has a T at position 9, an A at position 12, and a V at position 15.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single domain antibody, preferably wherein the single domain antibody is derived from a llama single chain antibody or a human single chain antibody.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody or a single domain antibody.
• the immunoglobulin molecule or the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody comprises one or more of the framework regions selected from the group of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 67-70.
• the said human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule that blocks activation of human Vy9V52 T cells is for use in a medical treatment.
• said immunoglobulin molecule is for use in a medical treatment, wherein the medical treatment comprising the use of inhibitors of the mevalonate pathway or wherein the medical treatment comprises the treatment of cancer.
• said immunoglobulin molecule is for use in a medical treatment wherein the medical treatment comprises the treatment of an infectious disease.
• Inhibitors of the mevalonate pathway that act downstream of pAg production that include commonly clinically prescribed aminobisphosphonates such as pamidronate, alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate and zoledronate.
• Another class of compounds includes alkylamines such as isobutylamine, isoamylamine, and n-butylamine.
• Such compounds can be used for the treatment of Pagef s disease, osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, and prevention of skeletal events in case of malignant bone metastases. This results in the intracellular accumulation of the endogenous pAg isopentenyl-pyrophosphate (IPP) and the subsequent selective activation and expansion of Vy9V52 T cells.
• IPP isopentenyl-pyrophosphate
• Aminobisphosphonate administration is frequently accompanied by an acute febrile response due to this selective activation of Vy9V52 T cells.
• This acute phase response has a peak onset of 1 day and a median duration of 3 days and mostly consists of fever, chills, flushes, acute musculoskeletal symptoms, pain, generalized discomfort and local complaints involving the back, neck, chest or shoulders, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• said human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecules that block activation of human Vy9V52 T cells can prevent the acute phase response induced by e.g. aminobisphosphonate administration in patients with Pagef s disease, osteoporosis, bone metastases, and hypercalcemia.
• immunoglobulin molecules may also be advantageous in the medical treatment of excessive activation of Vy9V52 T cells in vivo, which can occur for example during an infection where Vy9V52 T cells are overstimulated or chronically stimulated or in certain cancerous conditions where chronic overactivity of the mevalonate pathway in tumour cells can result in Vy9V52 T cell exhaustion.
• Such (over)stimulation can be measured in patients for example by measuring an increase in Vy9V52 T cells as compared to baseline levels, or by measuring supranormal levels of Vy9V52 T cells, e.g.
• Vy9V52 T cells more than 5% of the T cells are Vy9V52 T cells, combined with an upregulation of surface markers such as CD69 (early activation marker) or CD25 (late activation marker) on Vy9V52 T cells. It is understood that due to migration of the Vy9V52 T cells out of the blood to tissues, measuring
• Vy9V52 T cells supranormal levels of Vy9V52 T cells is not a requirement.
• Vy9V52 T cells may be less well activated, and that can be a sign of overstimulation as well.
• Cytokine production (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and cytotoxic granule content can also be measured intracellular ⁇ by flow cytometry.
• the said human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule that blocks activation of human Vy9V52 T cells is an
• immunoglobulin molecule comprising a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO. 27 and 30.
• the said human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule that blocks activation of human Vy9V52 T cells is used for blocking activation of human Vy9V52 T cells.
• said immunoglobulin molecule (which includes the single chain antibody or single domain antibody), is used in assays, e.g. such as described in the examples, to block activation.
• the invention also provides an immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells, that is a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule, comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31 GRTFSNYAMG; and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG; and wherein preferably the immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody.
• the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single domain antibody, preferably wherein the single domain antibody is a llama single chain antibody or a human single chain antibody. In a further embodiment, the single chain antibody is a single domain antibody. In further embodiments, the immunoglobulin molecule or the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody, comprises one or more of the framework regions selected from the group of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 67-70.
• said immunoglobulin molecules that activate human Vy9V52 T cells comprises a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO. 6, 9, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 25, 29, 33, 35, and 46.
• Vy9V52 T cells Current strategies that aim to exploit Vy9V52 T cells depend on their systemic activation (e.g. by aminobisphosphonates or synthetic phosphoantigens such as BrHPP) or on e.g. adoptive transfer of Vy9V52 T cells. These approaches have been shown to be well tolerated by patients and signs of antitumor activity have been documented. However, results are not consistent enough to allow widespread clinical application. Described strategies result in systemic activation of Vy9V52 T cells, but do not result in the specific recruitment of these cells to the tumour, where they are supposed to exert their antitumor effect.
• the said immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells and that are preferably linked to an agent can be used to activate Vy9V52 T cells in a clinical setting.
• said immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells are linked to an agent.
• Said agent is preferably an agent that can bind to a target, e.g. a cancer cell or an infected cell, e.g. infected with a virus, or a non-host cell, e.g. bacteria.
• a target e.g. a cancer cell or an infected cell, e.g. infected with a virus, or a non-host cell, e.g. bacteria.
• said agent is an immunoglobulin molecule.
• said immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody or a single domain antibody.
• immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells can be linked to a tumour- specific antibody, an antiviral antibody, or an antibacterial antibody.
• a tumour specific antibody can be any antibody.
• an immunoglobulin molecule linked to another antibody can be referred to as a bispecific antibody.
• a bispecific antibody may also consist of a first immunoglobulin molecule comprising the CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 regions according to the invention, which is a chain such as comprised in a single chain antibody, wherein the first immunoglobulin chain is paired with a second immunoglobulin molecule which is also a chain such as being comprised in a single chain antibody wherein the second immunoglobulin binds to the target.
• a bispecific antibody is thus formed that has two chains (similar to as depicted in figure 9B), each chain having a different single binding domain wherein one binding domain comprises CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 in accordance with the invention and the other binding domain binds to the targets.
• Said immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells and linked to an agent can also be a bispecific antibody that comprises two single domain antibodies, the first single domain antibody comprising the CDR1 , CDR2 and CDR3 regions according to the invention, wherein the first single domain antibody is linked to a second single domain antibody wherein the second single domain antibody binds to the target.
• said immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells, and which is preferably linked to an agent is for use in a medical treatment.
• the medical treatment is a treatment of cancer or of an infection.
• the use is provided said immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells for activating human Vy9V52 T cells.
• said use is for instance useful in assays such as described in the examples.
• said immunoglobulin molecule that activates human Vy9V52 T cells comprises a label.
• These immunoglobulin molecules are in particular useful for flow cytometry of cells expressing human Vy9V52 T cell receptor.
• the immunoglobulin molecule may comprise a tag, e.g. a myc tag as described in the examples or an his-tag or a fluorescent protein sequence, or it may be coupled to a suitable imaging dye.
• these immunoglobulin molecules can be used for the isolation and purification of these cells from cell suspensions including those from peripheral blood.
• these immunoglobulins that activate human Vy9V52 T cells these immunoglobulin molecules are in particular useful for selecting these cells while at the same time activating and expanding the cell population. Hence, the use is further provided of these immunoglobulin molecules.
• immunoglobulin molecules for labelling and/or for selecting, and for activating human Vy9V52 T cells.
• an immunoglobulin molecule is provided wherein the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin molecule that does not block activation of human Vy9V52 T cells; and does not activate human Vy9V52 T cells and wherein it is a human Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecule, comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31
• GRTFSNYAMG GRTFSNYAMG; and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody.
• the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO. 2 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG, wherein the said amino acid sequence has a T at position 9, an A at position 12, and a V at position 15.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single domain antibody, preferably wherein the single domain antibody is a llama single chain antibody or a human single chain antibody.
• the single chain antibody is a single domain antibody.
• the immunoglobulin molecule or the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody comprises one or more of the framework regions selected from the group of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 67-70.
• said immunoglobulin molecule wherein the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin molecule that does not block activation of nor activates human Vy9V52 T cells, comprises a CDR3 region wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 3, 37, 40 and 43.
• said immunoglobulin molecule wherein the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin molecule that does not block activation of human Vy9V52 T cells, comprises a label.
• immunoglobulin molecules are in particular useful for flow cytometric or immunohistochemical detection of cells expressing human Vy9V52 T cell receptor.
• the immunoglobulin molecule may comprise a tag, e.g. a myc tag as described in the examples or an his-tag or a fluorescent protein sequence, or it may be coupled to a suitable imaging dye.
• these immunoglobulin molecules can be used for the isolation and purification of these cells from cell suspensions including those from peripheral blood.
• These Vy9V52 T cell receptor binding immunoglobulin molecules can be developed as research tools for detection in immunohistochemistry, flow-cytometry, imaging, and for magnetic purification from cell suspensions. As these do not have an effect on the human Vy9V52 T cells, these immunoglobulin molecules are in particular useful for selecting these cells for further uses. Hence, the use is further provided of these
• immunoglobulin molecules for labelling or for selecting human Vy9V52 T cells.
• an immunoglobulin molecule wherein the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31 GRTFSNYAMG; and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG; and wherein preferably the immunoglobulin molecule is a single chain antibody.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is an immunoglobulin comprising a CDR1 region and a CDR2 region, wherein the CDR1 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 40% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31 GRTFSNYAMG; and wherein the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 32 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG; and wherein preferably the immunoglob
• the CDR2 region comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO. 2 AISWSGGSTYYADSVKG, wherein the said amino acid sequence has a T at position 9, an A at position 12, and a V at position 15.
• the immunoglobulin molecule is a single domain antibody, preferably wherein the single domain antibody is a llama single chain antibody or a human single chain antibody.
• the single chain antibody is a single domain antibody.
• the immunoglobulin molecule or the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody comprises one or more of the framework regions selected from the group of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 67-70.
• the immunoglobulin molecule, the single chain antibody or the single domain antibody comprises a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO. 3, 6, 9, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 43, and 46.
• an immunoglobulin molecule comprising a CDR3 region, wherein the CDR3 region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO. 3, 6, 9, 1 1 , 14, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 43, and 46.
• Vy9V52 T cells Healthy donor-derived (human) Vy9V52 T cells were generated and cultured as described (Schneiders FL, et al.Clin Immunol 2012; 142: 194-200). Generation of Jurkat Vy9V52 T cell lines and Jurma Vy9V52 T cell lines
• phages were eluted with 100 mM HCI. After 7 minutes incubation at 4°C, unbound phages were removed and neutralized with Tris-HCI after which they were infected to E.coli. After recovery of selected phages, second round phages were first counter selected 2x for 1 hour at 4°C to Jurkat cells after which unbound phages were incubated for 1 hour with Jurkat Vy9V52. Phages were eluted and infected to E. coli as described for first round selections. Bacteria were plated on LB/2% glucose/ ampicillin plates to generate single bacterial colonies coding eluted VHH DNA.
• VHH DNA from individual clones were digested with Sfi 1/ BstEII and cloned into plasmid pMEK219, a derivative from pHenl (Hoogenboom et al. Nucleic Acids Res 1991) with addition of a HC-V cassette to enable Sfi1/BstEII cloning, add a C-terminal myc-and 6x HIS- tag deletion of the genlll sequence.
• pMEK219-VHH was transformed to TG1 bacteria. An overnight culture was used to inoculate 2xTY medium plus 0, 1 % glucose and 100 ug/ml ampicillin. When OD 6 oo reached 0.5, IPTG was added to a final concentration of 1 mM.
• Protein production was allowed for 2-5 hours. Growth of all cultures was performed at 37°C with shaking at 200-220 rpm. Protein production was stopped by spinning cultures for 15 minutes at 4°C. The bacterial pellet was suspended in PBS and frozen for at least 1 hour. Bacterial suspension was thawed, slightly shaken for 1 hour at 4°C and spun at 4500 rpm for 30 minutes. Supernatant was incubated with washed Talon resin (Clontech, 1290 Terra Bella Ave. Mountain View, CA, USA) for 1 hour at room temperature. Talon resin was washed 3x with PBS and 1x with 15 mM imidazole/PBS pH7 and eluted with 150 mM imidazole/PBS pH7. The eluted fraction was dialysed 2x against PBS. Purified VHH was checked by coomassie stained protein gel for purity.
• VHH Binding of VHH to donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells orJurkat Vy9V52 T cells.
• HeLa cells were incubated with indicated amounts of aminobisphosphonates (NBP;ABP Pamidronaat-DiNatrium, Pharmachemie, Haarlem, The Netherlands) for 2 hours at 37°C in a C0 2 incubator with humidified atmosphere. Cells were then washed and seeded at 5*10 4 in 100 ⁇ IMDM+ per well in a flat bottom 96-well cell culture plate (Costar) and allowed to adhere for 2 hours at 37°C in a C0 2 incubator with humidified atmosphere. Cells were washed with PBS and cultured in 100 ⁇ IMDM+. Donor-derived Vy9V52 T cells were incubated with the indicated VHH concentration for 1 hour at 4°C.
• NBP aminobisphosphonates
• VHH-incubated Vy9V52 T cells were added to NBP-treated HeLa cell coated wells and incubated at 37°C in a C0 2 incubator with humidified atmosphere. Cells were harvested with trypsin to a 96-wells round bottom plate, Golgiplug (1 :500, BD Biosciences) was added for intracellular cytokine retention. Flowcytometry was used to determine CD25, I FN- ⁇ and Granzyme B expression (as described; Schneiders FL, et al. Clin Immunol 2012; 142: 194-200)
• a donor-derived Vy9V52 T cell line was stained with mouse-anti-human V52-FITC and mouse-anti-human Vy9-PE (both BD Biosciences) and sorted with FACS Aria (BD
• Sorted cells were cultured in the same way as the donor-derived VY9V52 T cell lines.
• 10 4 cells of the resulting purified sorted cell lines were stained with VHH similar to the methodology as described for binding of VHH to donor-derived VY9V52 T cells with the adjustment that 10 ⁇ 1 :80 goat-anti-mouse-F(ab)2 RPE (#R0480 from Dako, Glostrup, Denmark) was used for anti-myc antibody detection.
• VHHs were tested for specificity as described above, and all 20 VHHs (see table 2) showed binding to VY9V52 T cell receptor expressing Jurkat cells as well as primary VY9V52 T cells, whereas they did not bind to Jurkat cells not expressing the VY9V52 T cell receptor.
• Immunoglobulin molecules that block phosphoantigen induced activation
• Clones 6F6 and 5E7 were characterized as nanobodies that block phosphoantigen-induced stimulation of VY9V52 T cells. Both clones 6F6 and 5E7 are nanobodies that bind to the V52 chain of the VY9V52 T cell receptor.
• GrB, CD25 and I FN-gamma expression were similar to unstimulated controls, whereas the positive control showed relative high expression levels (see figure 2).
• dose response curve upon exposure to phosphoantigen, dose dependent neutralization of phospoantigen induced VY9V52 T cell activation was shown (see figure 3).
• VHH 5E7 nanobody inhibits VY9V52 T cell activation by aminobisphosphonates (ABP) in a dose dependent manner, i.e. a higher dose of 5E7 results in a relative stronger reduction of CD25 and CD107a expression, and a relative stronger reduction of interferon- ⁇ and TNF-a production as well.
• the 5E7 nanobody was also shown to inhibit spontaneous lysis of Daudi cells by VY9V52 T cells in a dose dependent manner, whereas a control nanobody did not show any significant effect.
• the nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate pamidronate was used to activate VY9V52 T cells resulting in an enhanced lysis of Daudi cells.
• the 5E7 nanobody reduced the lysis of the Daudi cells in a dose dependent manner. This indicates that any undesired activation of VY9V52 T cells may be reduced by using a nanobody that blocks Vy9V52 T cell activation.
• a nanobody that blocks Vy9V52 T cell activation may be an antibody that binds to the V52 chain of the Vy9V52 T cell receptor.
• VHHs were shown to activate Vy9V52 T cells as shown by an increase in CD25 expression and an increase in IFN-gamma expression (see figure 4). Furthermore, such VHHs showed a typical dose response as an increasing dose of VHHs resulted in an increasing CD25 expression as well (see figure 5, right panel). Such a VHH was also coupled to an immunoglobulin molecule and the effect on apoptosis of tumour cells studied (see figure 6). The bispecific VHH (anticancer cell binding and Vy9V52 T cell binding and activation) showed potent activity towards killing of tumour cells.
• a bispecific VHH was made by coupling of anti-Vy9V52 nanobody 6H4 to a nanobody against a tumor.
• an anti-Vy9V52 nanobody was coupled to a control nanobody, and an anti-tumor nanobody was coupled to a control nanobody.
• the controls only induced about 22% lysis of tumor cells.
• the bispecific VHH (or nanobody) binding both Vy9V52 T cells and tumor cells induced about 85% lysis of the tumor cells mediated by the Vy9V52 T cells.
• the percentage of lysis by the Vy9V52 T cells decreased with a lower dose ( 1 nM, about 80%, 100pM about 78%, 10 pM about 50%, 1 pM about 23% and 0 about 24%).
• Immunoglobulin molecules that do not induce activation and do not block phosphoantigen activation
• VHHs (5D7, 5C7, 5B11 and 6C4) showed no activation of human Vy9V52 T cells, nor did it have an effect on blocking phosphoantigen human Vy9V52 T cell activation (figure 8 and figure 5, left panel). Such VHHs are useful for example in FACS sorting (see figure 7).
• An anti-V52 (e.g. 6H4) or Vv9 nanobody (e.g. 6H1) was biotinylated and mixed with PBMCs. The cells were washed to remove unbound nanobody. Magnetic beads with streptavidin (such as available from Miltenyi Biotec) were added to the mixture and cells bound to the beads, via the biotinylated nanobody, separated from unbound cells using a magnetic separating column. PBMCs were FACS analysed with regard to Vy9 and V52 expression. Excellent purification was obtained with both anti-V52 and Vy9 nanobodies.
• 5C8 CDR2 A AISWSGGSTSYADSVKG 5C8 CDR3 A QFSGADYGFGRLGIRGYEYDY

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